Remembering Our Roots + This Sunday At Immanuel
Good morning Immanuel. The gospel gives us a whole new way to see our roots.
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him.” (Isaiah 51:1-2)
In 1976 Alex Haley published his novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family, where he attempts to trace his roots back to Africa. This novel eventually became a movie/mini-series, and like many African Americans growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, I watched all 8 hours with a mix of emotions. Years later, my own journey to find my roots left me in awe of God’s kindness in preserving my ancestors through unimaginable trouble so that I would be here in 2023. Although looking back to my roots reminded me of painful history, it also comforted me to see the Lord’s mercy and sustaining power working against all odds. In Isaiah 51, the Lord comforted his discouraged people with a reminder about their roots. Their past was the story of God’s faithfulness against all odds. They were hewn from a rock. They were dug out from a quarry. Against all odds, God birthed an entire nation through one elderly couple! No matter how bleak their present circumstances were, the God who worked against all odds in Abraham is mighty to save and able to restore. This is our hope today. God is mighty to save and able to restore— consider our roots! We were spiritually dead, but against all odds, God made us alive in Christ. We were alienated, but by the grace of God, we were brought near through Christ’s blood. Christ himself is our new reality— the roots that redefine our past, establish us in the present, and secure our future. May we be encouraged as we remember our roots in him!
January 27, 2023 - This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning
SERMON - Pastor TJ will continue our sermon series in Ephesians!
FAMILY WORSHIP - This Sunday at Immanuel is Family Worship + Baptisms & Dedications! Children four years old and up are invited into the corporate worship service with the rest of the family of God as we celebrate baptisms and dedications!
Seminars
9 am: Studying the Bible Together led by Dr. Tom Cox in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
9 am: First Word Seminar led by Dr. Russell Moore in the Cafe
9 am: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald in the gymnasium (ongoing for grades 5-12)
10:45 am: Next Steps 4, led by Tony Shepherd in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
Engage
WOMEN’S RETREAT - There’s still time to register for the Immanuel Women’s retreat! The retreat is from March 3rd to 4th at Deer Run Camps & Retreats. The cost is $85 per person. You can learn more and register here.
COLLEGE LUNCH - Immediately following the 10:45 am service in the Cafe.
ONLINE PRAYER MEETINGS - Every week, Jenn Ross, an Immanuel Discipleship Group leader, facilitates two online prayer meetings that everyone is welcome to join. The Zoom meeting times and links are below:
Every Thursday afternoon from 12:00-12:45 pm
Every Sunday morning from 7:30-8:00 am
On the horizon
🙏🏼